Frequency domain analysis of telephone helpline call data

Abstract

The paper presents a frequency domain analysis of call data records of a telephone helpline for those seeking mental health and wellbeing support and for those who are in a suicidal crisis. A call data record dataset provided by Samaritans Ireland helpline is used. Fourier series is used to ascertain periodicity in the call volume. The main findings from the paper indicate that strong repetitive intra-day and intra-week patterns are found, while intra-month repetitions are conspicuously absent.